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An Open Letter to My Son

Dear Mekhi,It is the eve of the most historic Presidential election in my lifetime and I am sure in the history of the United States. The race is between an African –American man with the unlikely name of Barack Obama and Senator John McCain whose running mate is a woman. If either of this men get elected it will make history.

Senator Obama is the child of a white mother and a Kenyan father. He was primarily raised by his grandmother – who unfortunately passed away today before seeing the outcome of the election. He is a graduate of Harvard, the first African – American editor of the law review, and spent a good deal of his life after law school as a community organizer in Chicago. The child of a single mother, his life clearly is an illustration of the American dream fulfilled.

I believe that Senator Obama is the best man for the job. His platform is Change and I do believe that after having the Republicans in office for eight years it is high time for a change. Our economy is in shambles, we are in a recession and we need forward thinking in the White House.

I proudly voted for him in both the primary and the general election. The primary race was a hard one, he ran against Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of President Clinton. She fought a hard race but in the end our man came out on top. I have to share with you that placing my vote for Senator Obama in the primary was surreal. I could not believe that I was casting my vote for a black man for the highest office in the land – no, the world.

Senator Obama gave his acceptance speech on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial. It was history that I shared at home with my mother, your grandmother. She is writing a letter to you too. We want you to be able to share our memories of this time with your children and grandchildren.

Whenever I think of the possibility of Senator Obama becoming President tears well up in my eyes. I am listening to the tv and at 11:00 pm at night people are already lining up to vote in Atlanta. They are camping out and holding a prayer vigil. Tomorrow I will be volunteering for the Obama campaign and providing food and beverages for the people waiting in line to vote. I voted early, the long lines were anticipated and I thought my time would be of better use assisting others on the day of the Election.

Regardless of the outcome this gives me hope. Hope that my beautiful baby boy will have the opportunity to dream of becoming the President of this nation and that it can actually be a reality. In 17 years when you are able to vote I hope that this election will not seem as unique and unusual as it does today.

I am sorry if this letter rambles, I am writing without editing or concern for form or fashion. I will leave you with something that I read today that resonates with me. Hopefully it will stay with you forever.

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk.Martin walked — so Barack could run.Barack ran so our children can fly."

I woke up early this morning in order to cast my vote for Obama. Renee, your letter is simply beautiful, I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face. Barack's journey deepens my faith...."Nothing is impossible with God"

What a great way to record your thoughts about the state of our country and capture the moment for him so he can read about it years from now when he is old enough to understand what it means.

I've said this before, I usually don't comment on political posts or spend too much time sharing my views about politics with others because it incites things in people that are often irrational or at the very least, cause dissention when "all we need is love."

But, I wanted to let you know how moved I was by your letter. I am a republican, and although I do examine things by the issues, and am voting Democratic from some local elections, I have never voted for a Democrat for President. But the passion in your letter and your clear and proud faith in your candidate is just awesome. That is what makes this country so great!

Plus Renee, you have a way of not supporting your candidate but not offending those who don't. Your opinions are real and passionate but not angry and irrational like so many others on both sides.

Hi! I am stopping over from SITS. What a wonderful way to document this election for your son. Although I did not vote for Obama, I see and appreciate the history that is taking place before our very eyes. This post is very moving and even a Republican can see that. :) I need to do the same for my sons. Thank you for the inspiration.

That was an absolutely beautiful letter. I will not be voting for Obama but I love the idea of writing to my children expressing why I thought it was important to vote for the candidate I did and share with them the history that is taking place.

Very Lovely Renee. I feel the same way. I was at the polls at 5:30 this morning. I patiently await the outcome and pray for the best. I also keep Senator (President) Obama in my prayers. Have a great day!

I just have to interject and say that change will just happen, no matter WHO is elected. Change is something that we do not control, and its not made by only one person, but rather, a shift regardless of who is voted in.

I have copied and pasted this quote if you don't mind...I have a "favorite quote of the week" on my blog and I'd like to use this. If you know who wrote/spoke it, please let me know. :) This is a great letter, and it's a story I hope to share with my sons as well. My 4 year old has been following as best he can so far. GREAT letter.

YAY!! Did you see Sheri Sheppard on the View this morning. She echoed your sentiments but you said it much more beautifully. Congratulations, my American friend, on your new president. If I could have voted my choice would have been the same. I'm sure I'm not the only Canadian who feels jealous of the American pride and progress demonstrated yesterday.

Wow! I am a very white (I have vitiligo so most of my skin has no pigment) American who voted for McCain, but your letter made me cry. I will never know through experience what African-Americans have experienced in this country. But I realize what a tremendous victory Obama's election is to all people. It speaks to the bond we all have, not as white or black or any other designation, but just that we are people--alike in many, many ways. I am glad to be alive for this historic time. While I may not agree with all of President Elect Obama's politics, I rejoice in his victory over predjudice in this country. I will pray for him. He is my President too! Thank you for your letter. It touched my heart.